Revolutionary stem cell operation to prevent hip replacements

A pioneering new technique using stem cells to repair damaged bones has been carried out at Spire Southampton Hospital. Mr Douglas Dunlop, Orthopaedic Surgeon performed the procedure which could prevent thousands of people from needing to have a hip replacement.

Mark Venables, 39, suffers from a condition where bone in his hip has died, weakening his joint and causing pain on movement. During the procedure at Spire Southampton Hospital, stem cells were taken from bone marrow extracted from Mark's pelvis. The stem cells were purified and mixed with cleaned and ground up bone from another patient. The dead tissue was then removed from the ball of Mark's hip and the cavity filled with the mixture of stem cells and donated bone. This mixture then helps to rejuvenate the affected bone.

Speaking about the operation Mr Dunlop said "If this new procedure works, he won't need a hip replacement. It will fix his hip for life."